Brakes return from the Rovers with the points in the bag....
Sat, 14 Mar 2009 @ Sharpenhoe Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire. . vs Barton Rovers (2-1). British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division. By P Edwards.
Brakes eased to another priceless three points at Sharpenhoe Road, scoring a goal in each half to see off lowly Barton. In what was a low key affair, Jason Cadden's men never really had to hit top gear, and looked comfortable for practically the entire 90 minutes, with Chris Kiely hardly having a save to make. Former Brakes and Barton player Cliff Campbell was at the game, to watch two of his former clubs, and to catch up with old friends.
The opening twenty minutes or so passed by without incident, and neither side had a serious effort on goal. A good looking cross from the left by Marcus Jackson was clutched by keeper Edward Rhodes-Winsor, and Luke Corbett cracked in a shot on the turn that whistled over the bar. The game was a real midfield scrap at this stage, with neither side making any real headway. Leamington were doing the bulk of the attacking, but were crowded out whenever they got near the Barton penalty area. The first real chance arrived when a long kick up field by Chris Kiely was missed by Barton's Ashley Daniels, and Mark Bellingham judged the bounce well, homing in on goal, but Rhodes-Winsor did well to block the shot. Jai Stanley then struck a long range free kick over the bar.
Although the home side provided little threat going forward, they were defending in numbers, giving Leamington little time on the ball as they advanced up the pitch. Marcus Jackson burst between two players to win the ball in midfield, and lofted a pass towards the penalty area for Bellingham. Two defenders misjudged the flight of the ball, but a third was on hand to clear the danger.
Leamington began to enjoy a concerted period of pressure, that culminated in them taking the lead on 35 minutes. Jai Stanley, sporting a nasty looking black eye, which he sustained in last weekends' game against Bedworth United, sent in a cross from the right. Chris Murphy helped it on inside a crowded penalty area, and Mark Bellingham turned to slam a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. This was the 100th competitive goal scored by the team this season.
Barton finally looked to have a chance for a shot on goal, towards the end of the half, but skipper Alex O'Brien, who scored a fine goal in the reverse fixture at the NWG, screwed his first time effort from a dropping ball so badly wide that it went out for a throw in.
Luke Corbett flicked a header on for strike partner Bellingham to charge onto, but the ball was whipped off his toes. Just before the half time whistle, a free kick from the centre circle by Martin Hier was nodded home by Bellingham, only for the goal to be ruled out, though it was unclear what the reason was.
There was another chance for Bellingham at the beginning of the second half. He was clearly becoming frustrated with the lack of protection he was receiving from the officials, as he was being man handled virtually every time he received possession, but after a smart turn, he hit a shot over the bar.
Chris Kiely was forced to sprint from his line to head a long ball out of play, as Barton tried to find a way through. At other end, Marcus Jackson did superbly to wriggle away from a challenge on the touchline, and cut into the area before firing a shot against the outside of the post. However, it was not long before a second goal arrived. Again it was Jai Stanley who played the ball towards the penalty area, and Chris Murphy who helped it over a crowd of players to Luke Corbett, in space on the far side, and he delivered a cracking first time drive into the far corner.
There was a momentary scare for Brakes, as a cross from the right by Scott Orphanou landed on the roof of the net, but the likelihood of more goals being scored at the opposite end was far greater. Guy Sanders saw a header from a James Husband corner kick cleared from the goal line by Ashley Daniels. Adam Cooper and Colm Keirans were both cautioned following what looked like an accidental clash following a corner, but it unfortunately means that Cooper will be suspended shortly, for accumulating ten bookings.
Mykel Beckley and Josh Blake were introduced to the proceedings, and Beckley turned well as Chris Murphy threaded the ball through to him inside the area, but his shot was blocked. Murphy then saw a shot of his own charged down, as Luke Corbett did well to prevent the ball from going out of play, and knocked it back to him inside the 18 yard box. Adam Cooper stretched to head over the bar from a Guy Sanders cross, before Josh Blake bought down a long cross and burst into the area, only to hit his shot horribly wide.
Liam Reynolds looked to have been shoved over as he made a late charge into the penalty area, but the players obviously agreed with the Referee's decision, as there were no arguments. Barton had a late shout for a penalty of their own when they claimed a shot had been handled inside a crowded penalty area, but their protests were waved away.
This result sees Leamington right back in form, and with the business end of the season firmly in sight, it is certainly a good time to be back in the winning habit. More points dropped for the likes of Atherstone and Nuneaton will see Brakes destiny firmly in their own hands, if they can pick up points in some tricky remaining fixtures.
Barton Rovers: Edward Rhodes-Winsor, Ashley Daniels, Lee Wilson (Russell Preston, 75), Ross Hanley, Ricky Geraghty, Kevin Randell, Ryan Robb (Daniel Rose, 58), Colm Keirans, Alex O'Brien, Scott Orphanou (Nat Liburd, 68), Dennis Fennemore.
Subs not used: Phil Feakes, Ashley Harewood.
Leamington: Chris Kiely, Chris Murphy, Martin Hier, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders [C], Liam Reynolds, Marcus Jackson, Jai Stanley (Mykel Beckley, 66), Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham (Josh Blake, 74), James Husband.
Subs not used: Ryan Parisi, Glenn Webb, Richard Anstiss.